ITU today announced that USA Triathlon, Friends of Multisport, Inc. and the Redman Triathlon have been awarded the 2016 ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships, to be held in Oklahoma City, Okla.

“The fact that we are able to secure local organizing committees so far in advance is a strong indicator in both the popularity of ITU races and the growth of the sport,” said Marisol Casado, ITU President and IOC Member. “We are thrilled to again work with USA Triathlon to host the championships, as they’ve proven to be an excellent federation that produces top-tier events.”

“USA Triathlon is honored to have been selected as the host National Federation for another important ITU World Championship,” said Bob Wendling, USA Triathlon President. “We look forward to inviting the world’s top long-course athletes to Oklahoma and working closely with our respected partners, ITU and the Redman Triathlon organizing committee.”

In September of 2016, elite and age-group triathletes will compete for world titles on a 4-kilometer swim, 120-kilometer bike, 30-kilometer run course. Elites will also be vying for a piece of the $90,000 prize purse, to be split equally between the men and women. The Redman Triathlon has been held at Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City for the past decade, featuring a calm lake swim, rolling hills on the bike covering both urban and rural views of Oklahoma City and a closed run course around the lake.

“Friends of Multisport, Redman Triathlon and the City of Oklahoma City are excited to welcome an exceptional field of athletes and delegates from the world of triathlon to our wonderful city and event,” said Dave Wood, President and Chairman at Friends of Multisport and race director for Redman Triathlon. “Our supportive city and dynamic venue will proudly host a world-class event offering a level of competition and excitement that is becoming commonplace in our growing and vibrant city.”

This marks the third time the ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships will be held in the United States. The event was last held in the U.S. in 2011 in Henderson, Nev., with more than 900 athletes in attendance, and Muncie, Ind., hosted the event in 1996.

The U.S. has hosted a number of other multisport World Championships over the years, including the Duathlon World Championships in 2009 and the Cross (Off-Road) Triathlon World Championships in 2012. Chicago is set to join the ITU World Triathlon Series this year before hosting the ITU World Triathlon Series Grand Final and Age Group Triathlon World Championships in 2015.

The 2014 Long Distance Triathlon World Championships will be held in Weihai, China on September 21, while the 2015 event is slated to be held in Motala, Sweden.